Vernon ISD

This afternoon all VMS students gathered in the gym for an assembly to discuss with students the rules both Vernon ISD and local enforcement must follow when students use certain words -- regardless of whether or not those words were spoken or written in fun. Speaking at the assembly were VISD Supt. Dr. Kermit Ward, Vernon Police Chief Dan Birbeck, and Sheriff Deputy Ronnie Adams. Chief Birbeck explained once a student speaks or writes words against a classmate, teacher or the school and someone perceives those words as a threat -- even if they were written or spoken as a joke -- law enforcement and VISD will treat the situation as a real threat. With that in mind, Chief Birbeck said the outcome of the incident would be the student getting arrested, and he reminded students in the State of Texas anyone 10 years of age and older could be arrested for making a threat. Dr. Ward and Police Chief Birbeck told the students this was their first and only warning on the matter

Our Vernon Lions are finally back home this week and it's a big game -- the District 4-3A, D1 opener!! The Lions will host the Paradise Panthers this Friday at Leo Brittain Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.vernonisd.org/page/ticket-purchases and single-game reserve seat tickets can be purchased at the Vernon Administration Building. Single-game reserve seats are $7 and must be purchased by Noon, Friday.

Congratulations to these students who received our Student of the Week honors for last week: 2nd Grade -- Birdie Rodriguez; 3rd Grade -- Weekonehsu Myint; 4th Grade -- Orrin Parra; and 5th Grade -- Jeremiah Damas. Great job!! Keep up the great work!!

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services will be at McCord on Wednesday, Oct. 1 providing free oral exams for our students. Parents, a permission form will be in your Tuesday Newsday folder tomorrow. PLEASE sign the form and return it to the school so your child can benefit from this free exam. We MUST have a signed permission slip on file for a student to receive the exam.

TODAY'S THE DAY!!!
The deadline to register for the Boys & Girls Club Basketball League for kindergarten thru 2nd grade students is today!! Get those youngsters signed up for the fun!

Congratulations to these students who earned Student of the Week honors for last week: 6th Grade -- Neveah Adams & Basilio Comacho; 7th Grade -- Alyvia Sawyer & Ayden Garrett; and 8th Grade -- Kaezyn Martinez & Jacob Martinez. Way to go!! Keep up the good work!!

The PSAT will be offered to all VHS 11th graders and homeschool students who live in the Vernon school district on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The fee to take the PSAT is $18 and the registration deadline is Oct. 3, at noon. To register, please see Mrs. Scales in the VHS office. The PSAT is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, as well as a practice test for the SAT.

VMS held its drawing for the perfect attendance prize in each grade Friday and the winners were: 6th Grade -- Kendall Balderas; 7th Grade -- Miyah Mejia; and 8th Grade -- Emmanuel Garcia Menendez. They each won a Meta Quest VR device. During the 1st six weeks, each week students who had perfect attendance earned an entry into a drawing for a chance to win the perfect attendance prize. Students will take a survey today to determine the perfect attendance prize for the 2nd six weeks.

Class of 2026 parents -- now is the time to purchase an ad honoring your senior in the 2026 VHS Yearbook!! You can also purchase a yearbook for your senior as well. Go to: https://bit.ly/class2026seniorad

Join us for the 3rd Annual LIONS ROAR HOMECOMING Tailgate on October 10th! We invite Vernon ISD school clubs, VISD-endorsed organizations, local businesses, churches, and community groups to participate. Only Vernon ISD entities can sell items, and Vernon ISD will not be providing prizes for booths.

Just like last year, we’ll set up in the horseshoe drive in front of Vernon Elementary School. Participants must supply their own materials and manage cleanup. The event kicks off at 4:30 PM, and close at 6:30 for 7 PM game kickoff.

If your group wants to participate, please complete the form located at this link: https://bit.ly/lionsroarform
Please complete the Google form by end of the day, October 4th.

We can’t wait for a fantastic tailgate celebration! Questions? Contact Kori Eakin at kori.eakin@visdtx.org.

McCord PTO -- THANK YOU!!
Earlier this week the McCord PTO treated our teachers and staff with a special delivery! Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to show appreciation to our teachers and staff at McCord!!

A huge THANK YOU to the VES PTO for going above and beyond to show our teachers and staff how much they are appreciated!! Today's teacher cart was such a treat -- featuring a mini pancake bar with all the toppings. Thanks to Alma Alvarado for the delicious pancakes and Julie Hernandez for creating a custom teacher cart that made it extra special. Our VES family is so grateful!!

Our Picture Day is next week!!! We hope all of our students and staff show up Wednesday with smiles on their faces!!

Here are photos of a few of our students who went all out for yesterday's dress up theme "Western Day."

Here are a couple of more cute kiddos in their western attire for yesterday's Western Day dress up theme.

Yesterday, students in Mrs. Lisa Hanson's Anatomy & Physics class worked on Heart Rate Investigations. The students did a variety of physical activities and then checked their heart rate with an oximeter. Some of the athletes in her class competed with each other to see whose heart rate was the highest.

Our Lady Lions travel to Jacksboro this afternoon for a District 7-3A battle with the Tigerettes. Vernon is 1-1 in district play. The varsity match will begin at 4 p.m., with the sub-varsity matches set for 5:30 p.m. start. GOOD LUCK LADY LIONS!!!!

It was Western Day for the VHS spirit pep rally as the Lions take on the Richland Raiders tonight. Here are a few sights and sounds from the pep rally. https://youtu.be/TzWZqABrgFc

A big THANK YOU to Fancher Electric for donating breakfast tacos and to Texas Credit Corporation for providing waters this morning to celebrate the first six weeks at VMS and VHS! Our teachers and staff were so appreciative of this special treat, and we are grateful to members of the VMS & VHS PTO who delivered! Your generosity helps make Vernon ISD a wonderful place to learn and work! 🐾❤️

Last night in Wichita Falls, our 7th grade football squad picked up a 32-26 victory, while our 8th grade team suffered a 36-8 loss.
Scoring TDs for the 7th grade squad were Kenneth Sweet with touchdown runs of 60, 13 and 42 yards, and Ja'Kaiden White with scampers of 5 yards and 25 yards. White also hit Kameron Fanner with a 40-yard pass to set up one of the touchdowns. Offensive MVPs were Sweet and White, while defensive MVPs were Tyler Holmes & Beckett Bayer.
In the 8th grade game, Vernon found the end zone in the 2nd quarter on a 90-yard interception return by Tatum Gipson. R.J. Villareal ran in the 2-point conversion. Braxten Booth was the Offensive MVP, while Gipson was the Defensive MVP.